Amarissa was startled awake by the sound of someone else's voice. Her eyes snapped open, body starting a bit until her gaze focused on James sitting across from her. Oh. That was okay then, wasn't it? She could feel some of the tension ease out of her muscles, and she lowered her face briefly down against the couch, shutting her eyes and letting her cheek press against the fabric as she tried to calm the rapid pulse that was currently racing through her body. Most people didn't like to be sneaked up on, and that trait seemed to be multiplied in Aurors. It was distinctly unsettling that someone had entered her home without her awareness and been walking about the same room that she was sleeping in. Even if that person was James. Who, she still thought she could trust.
"What are you doing here?" she asked after a moment, looking over at him again. Her voice was still more asleep than awake.
She wasn't feeling particularly inclined to shift just yet. She was feeling comfortable precisely how she was curled, her body relaxed. Though, she realized, that even if she did move, the pain wouldn't be anything compared to what it had been. Her side was still bandaged, and there would but the slight pull of healing skin, but nothing that threatened her well being, nothing that sent sharp pains ricocheting through her insides, threatening to cut through everything.
It was acutely strange to see James, Amarissa reflected. He had been distant, and she hadn't been up to the task of trying to see him, of trying to earn his forgiveness entirely. She should have. But it seemed best to give him some space. As it was, the last time they had really spoken, been in a room together properly, was when she had explained what was going to happen while they were in Spain. His anger had been so tangible then. She could remember the way that his hands had gripped her; it hadn't been something she had really expected. His actions were understandable. But, it just hadn't been the right time, she couldn't stand up to that sort of reaction just then. Also, she was almost irritated that he had seen such a weakness in her at all. Amarissa hated that she had practically collapsed. It would have been easier for him not to know at all. In fact, the fewer people that knew, the safer it seemed to be.